How cold is "know it cold"? Forum

[fearless16]

I'm a repeater. Started in October since I'm working and I'm ... fried. Done my flashcards, Lean Sheets, Adaptibar every day already. Got my essay/MPT practice in for every subject. I feel like I can rattle off a good number of rules but am still like "I know the rule but don't know how well I'd articulate on the exam." Doing contracts tonight, reviewing all my Lean Sheets in the morning, then I'm going to get a hot stone massage and am calling it a day. So, again, how "cold" is "cold"?

[NY_Sea]

I'm a repeater. Started in October since I'm working and I'm ... fried. Done my flashcards, Lean Sheets, Adaptibar every day already. Got my essay/MPT practice in for every subject. I feel like I can rattle off a good number of rules but am still like "I know the rule but don't know how well I'd articulate on the exam." Doing contracts tonight, reviewing all my Lean Sheets in the morning, then I'm going to get a hot stone massage and am calling it a day. So, again, how "cold" is "cold"?

I mean, pretty cold. You can get some points here and there if you give generalized rule statements, but everything I've seen tells me that the graders literally have a checklist where they give a point for each element or requirement for a test/crime. They like the buzzwords that go along with the tests too.

That's my interpretation. People may disagree, though.

[starry24]

I'm a repeater. Started in October since I'm working and I'm ... fried. Done my flashcards, Lean Sheets, Adaptibar every day already. Got my essay/MPT practice in for every subject. I feel like I can rattle off a good number of rules but am still like "I know the rule but don't know how well I'd articulate on the exam." Doing contracts tonight, reviewing all my Lean Sheets in the morning, then I'm going to get a hot stone massage and am calling it a day. So, again, how "cold" is "cold"?

You're fine. Enjoy the massage.

[rcharter1978]

It may vary by state (in fact I would imagine it does) but I've been told, at least in CA that the graders read it holistically. So, as long as you have a good idea and you're getting most of it right you should be fine. I don't know if every different testing company even uses the same phrases and words to convey the same ideas so it would seem tough to demand that all the rules be recited verbatim. People have also been on BarEssays and have said that there are essays that get in the 70-80 range that get the rules wrong, or don't recite verbatim....or just kinda make stuff up that sounds good. A professor of mine used to read for the bar...many moons ago, and I remember him saying that if he was on the cusp he would ask "would I trust my grandmother with this person as an attorney?"

Sounds like you know the material pretty well, and besides you already have the massage booked so have a good time

[Arbinshire]

As part of my prep last July I wrote out numerous major rule statements/elements repeatedly in several notebooks, and conceptualized versions of the exceptions. MEE time, I was able to rattle off rule statements and just needed to focus on linking the rule with the facts in the analysis.

[anon sequitur]

I didn't have a single rule statement memorized, passed the VA bar. I know for a fact I didn't nail any of my essay rules, just stated my best approximation and then applied that as though it were actual law.

Not saying this will work for everyone, I had strong MPRE scores in a 40% state, but I guarantee you lots of people who pass couldn't rattle off dozens of rules. My instinct is that a good analysis of a rule that shows that you understand and can articulate general principles of common law will get you a passing grade. It's just not possible that 60-70% of people actually have encyclopedic knowledge of state law.

[timmyd]

Coming from a state that is heavily essay based (louisiana) I memorized most of the black letter law. But realize that memorizing a rule statement is less about remembering specific words and more about concepts. I was not able, unsurprisingly, to memorize every rule from the master outline word for word. Doing that would garner no additional points because there are numerous ways to state the underlying concepts. Paraphrasing can actually help solidify the material in your mind. At bottom, depending on the weight of the essays, it helps alleviate nerves to rattle off quips of black letter law. As long as you come close and show decent legal analysis, however, the result will be good.